When we read some of the discussion reactions at the end of a recent Toronto Maple Leafs Post, we were surprised. A reader suggested that Bobby McMann may not make the opening night on the opening night of Maple Leafs this season. The idea seemed at odds with what we have seen from him. Of course, he is not a concept like Auston Matthews or even Matthew Byies, but when McMann gets going, he Real Comes on.
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The comment received my often co-writer, Stan (Smith), digging in his figures, and what he found was fascinating McMann is not only able to score, he is one of the tightest players in the competition.
For the Maple Leafs, a story about two McManns
Looking at his last two seasons in Toronto, you can almost split his games into two completely different careers. In one piece he looks like a scorer of 40 goals. In another he is hardly noticeable on the score sheet. It is wild how extreme the swings are.
Last season, McMann had five separate scoring Bursts, a total of 20 goals and 29 points in 26 games. That kind of production would translate into a superstar area for a full season. But around those bursts there were four separate drought, spread over a combined 46 races, where he only had five assists.
The play -offs were no different. He obtained an assist in game 1 and then went 10 consecutive games without a point before he set up two assists in the last two games of the run of the Maple Leafs.
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The season before? The same story. In four long pieces a total of 36 games, he only succeeded in three assists, broken down by a six-game run of seven goals and 10 points, and another five games of four goals and an assist. In an 119 game Monster, McMann set 31 goals and 44 points in just 37 games. In the other 82 games he had eight assists and no goals. That is like two different players on the ice.
Other “Streakers” in the NHL history
McMann is not the first player to live in these scoring peaks and valleys. Streak scorers have been there forever and they often distribute fans. It is a well -known pattern, also for some players who have made a significant impact, such as Hall of Famer Dave Andreychuk.
(The hockey writers)
Jonathan Cheechoo from the San Jose Sharks was a Rocket Richard Trophy winner whose career was characterized by explosive Scoregessezoeases followed by long droughts when opposing teams adjust their defense. Last season, the Patrik Laine of Montreal Canadiens experienced pieces not to stop scoring bursts, only followed by a quieter end of the season.
Under former Maple Leafs players, Andreychuk, early in his career, showed the same party-of-to-be-ready-tendencies, scoring in bunches before he disappeared from the score sheet for longer periods. But in 1993-94 (his second season with the Maple Leafs), He set no fewer than 53 goals. Even the current Maple Leaf Max Domi, who is more a playmaker, is susceptible to hot stripes and extensive plateaus. These players show that Streakiness is often part of the career arch of a score Vooruit and a double -edged sword can be for coaches and fans.
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But it is not only “good” NHL players such as Andreychuk who experience stripes. Even elite talents such as Alex Oveechkin or Steven Stamkos can go seven or eight games without a goal, although their peaks are so high that fans hardly notice the valleys.
Why do score stripes happen for a player like McMann?
A few important reasons suggest why score stripes take place. First, style plays an important role. Those who are highly dependent on Netfront Opportunities or Opportunities with High Overdagen tend to party when the Puck bounces their way, but can easily get dry if happiness is not on their side. Then there is the issue of confidence cycles: hot stripes build trust and creativity that feed more goals and assists, while slumps can suppress the energy and decision -making of a player. (Domi can fall into that category.)
(John E. Sokolowski imagn images)
Other factors include line combinations and ice age. For a player such as Mcmann, combining with skilled line sizes increases his attacking opportunities, while he leaves in the lower six, often with defensive responsibilities, naturally suppressed point to the spotlight. Finally, many streak scorers experienced swings in their shooting percentages – with hot pieces, they often shoot at non -sustainable high percentages that eventually return to the average. All in all, these factors explain why players such as McMann fluctuations experience in their score production, cycling through peaks and valleys.
So what do you do with Mcmann?
McMann is a difficult call. Ungranting and now 29 years old, there is a matter to do that he has already reached a peak. Maple Leafs fans have seen this story unfold earlier. Zach Hyman was a fifth round pick the Florida Panthers did not even dieThe four full NCAA seasons spent before he brought himself into the NHL. He was considered a “nice complementary player” in Toronto, never scored more than 21 goals in a season for the Maple Leafs and often managed to score a lot in the play -offs. Now? He has set up a 54-goal season with the Edmonton Oilers and has never scored less than 27 goals since he has been there.
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The path of McMann has been similar – four years in the NCAA, a heavy climb for an NHL lane and a perception that he is a depth time. Yes, he only has one season of 20 goals to his name. And, similar to Hyman, the idea seems that he scores 50 far -fetched. But that also applies to the span of Hyman. He was 31 at the time of his 54-goal season and McMann is now 29. So strange things have happened.
But even if McMann “only” scores 20 goals every season – striped or not – the Maple Leafs have signed it for a bargain contract. His cost-production ratio makes him worth keeping, especially when one of those hot stripes comes in the play-offs.
The Bottom Line for McMann and the Maple Leafs
If we only concentrate on the droughts, McMann looks like a replaceable depth. But the peaks are so productive that they can change games – and even series. The challenge for Toronto does not find anyone to replace him; It is figuring out how they can unlock those scoring Bursts more often.
Players such as McMann are gambling. However, the payout can be huge. If his next hot streak happens to land in April or May, no one will care what he did in November. That is why the Maple Leafs must keep him for the time being, bet on his advantage and hope that the next series of goals will come when it matters the most.
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The Maple Leafs have previously been on this road with players such as Mason Marchment – overlooked in Toronto, only to break out and thrive elsewhere. It would be very unfortunate if the same thing happened to McMann, who could easily surprise everyone and score 30-plus goals if he got the right chance.
[Note: I want to thank long-time Maple Leafs fan Stan Smith for collaborating with me on this post. Stan’s Facebook profile can be found here.]
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